Simpson Desert this September

David,
How many passengers?

We did the simpson last year and while the Diesels were OK for fuel, those with petrols needed to carry more in Jerries.
One of them removed the back seats and built a woden frame where the back seat bolts, he then placed all his jerries in a row and tied them up using anchor points he built on the woden frame.

If you are carrying passengers and need the rear seats you will need to make some room in the cargo area and shift the lighter items to the roofrack.
Will

David,

I would hang the expense, get a LR tank. You could always sell it when you get back and recoup some money. It is one of those trips we all want to do so don't put your life or your familys at risk. With a pile of gear in the back bouncing around it won't take much for some metal on metal contact and remember id that happens around petrol.......one spark and your gone!

From another David who also want's do do the Simpson in September. How many are travelling in your group?

David,
wouldn't recommend petrol within cabin of a vehicle.
personally I cannot see the cost of long range tanks justified unless your a tour operator working all year.
As far a jerry cans on roof go I dont know what all the Cr*p is about.
I carried 5 (only filled when needed)accross the back of a homebuilt roofrack of my petrol 80 series for 13500 km last year. In fact with all the other gear including 2x spares and big box of bits and pieces like chainsaw, spares ,tyre changing gear oils etc. I had almost 250kg on the roof.
Did Gunbarrel, GibbRiver /mitchel falls/bungle bungles /tanami/old ghan rail etc no issue
just dont hook into corners to hard you dont get bodyroll
therefore no problems
Weightwise iIts not much different to boat /outboard motor, spares tyres I used to carry on the top of the old 60 series diesel where fuel capacity wasnt a problem.Carted that to the cape and around gulf over 2 years again no probs.

Just make sure the roof rack is a strong steel one.
.
regards
Howard

Where are you going in the simpson, bleep I tow a trailer over there in a petrol Jeep, and use about 200litres. i guess you would use a little les than that. try 4k/l, 700km is 175 litres.
A good way is to make a frame in the back seat area and secure them, not my cup of tea but one that has been used. The replacement looks good, or put that money toward a good trailer., then add about a 1/3 more fuel for that
cheers jol

Thank's everyone for your replies its given me food for thought, I'll mull it over some more. I am leaning towards a long range tank as we do a reasonable amount of travelling and petrol GQ's would have to be one of the thirstiest things on the planet. Safe trips to everyone.
Cheers David

David, I think the 200 L is a gross over-estimate of your requirements. I took that advice when I had a Paj and took the extra petrol as jerries on the roof rack. As it turned out we only used 89 L, and didn't need any extra at all. As far as carrying the weight up top goes it does affect handling and increases risk of duco to road contact. So as you use fuel from your tank transfer jerries as soon as you are able. There are so few places in Australia where more than a standard tank is needed between fuel outlets that I would find it hard to justify the cost of LR tanks. For the very occasional longer trip jerries do the job safely and economically.